Chapter Four-Confusion and Searching

"Why are you playing with me like this? Do you enjoy hurting me?" Len's words echoed inside my head as I slowly walked to school alone. "I know you are dating Miku so don't play these games with me." I didn't recall ever dating Miku so I had no idea where that came from, but Len seemed so upset he must have heard it some where.

"Hey Kaito," I heard my name and I looked up to see Miku and Rin standing in front of the school, no doubt waiting for Len and me.

"Hey," I said weakly.

"Kaito where is Len?" Rin asked me. "I thought he was with you."

"He was but he ran away," I said slowly. "Ne Miku, can I ask you something?"

"Uh sure," she said confused.

"Have you heard a rumor that we are dating?"

"No," she said looking confused and puzzled. "Where did you hear that?"

"Len yelled it at me before he ran away," I said. I quickly told the girls a quick summary of what had happened. Both of them looked at me sadly.

"Oh poor Len," Rin said sadly.

"He really has no idea. I'm sorry Kaito."

"I'll be alright but I am worried about Len. Did he come by at all?"

"I didn't see him," Miku said. "It's possible he snuck in the back or is waiting for us to leave." I knew Miku was trying to comfort me.

"You are right, I am sure he is already here," I said putting on a fake smile. "I'm sure Len is hiding or is already in class." I watched Miku and Rin walk off to class and I looked around for Len. I had a feeling he had skipped school and I shuddered as I got a bad feeling.

I followed Miku and Rin to our homeroom and I looked around for Len. I still didn't see him and he didn't sneak in when the bell rang either. I started to think of places he could be hiding when the teacher came in. I half paid attention as I stared out the window.

Time seemed to pass slowly and in between classes I looked all over for Len, I couldn't find him anywhere in his usual places. I asked around for him and no one had seen him this morning. It wasn't until lunch that someone told me they had seen Len running to the park. I thanked them and I grabbed my bag ready to skip school when I was caught by a teacher. I tired saying I had to go it was important but I only got a trip to the principal's office. The secretary was surprised to see me there because I was a model student.

When it was my turn to talk to the principal, I explained why I was trying to leave campus. I told him someone very dear to me was missing and I couldn't sit by and wait. After he studied me for a few minutes to make sure I wasn't lying he excused me for the day after wishing me good luck. I quickly left the school grounds and I tired to figure out which park Len had run to. I smacked myself in the forehead as I realized I should have asked before taking off. There were at least five parks in the area. It would take a few hours to search them all. I sighed as I ran to the closest park and I began looking around, yelling Len's name. I asked people around the park if they had seen Len. When I had finished one park, I moved onto the next park. I did this until I had searched all the parks but one.

It was dark by the time I got to the last park and there was no one in sight. I slowly walked around looking for Len. I checked the play ground, the trees and by the lake. I was half way done searching the park when I heard someone shouting and I felt a chill run through me. It sounded like Len and I started running to where I thought I heard the shout come from. I hear the shout once more and this time I could make it out. It was Len yelling for me to help him, and I ran faster trying to find him. Clearly something was wrong and he needed help now.

"LEN!" I yelled back. "Len where are you?" His voice suddenly stopped and I was concerned. I ran looking, listening for any sign on him and I heard the sound of a small scuffle off to my left.

"KAITO HELP ME!" I heard Len again and he sounded close, just over the hill.

"I'M COMING LEN!" I yelled as I got to the top of the hill and I looked down, searching frantically for Len. I heard a muffled scream and I quickly ran down the hill. I was some benches nears some thick bushes and I determined that is where Len was. I heard a male voice talking in a low tone and I shivered. I knew that voice.

I ran to the benches and my fears were confirmed. Len hung limply in someone's arms and I heard him call out to me weakly. The person holding Len turned around and I could have run away, but I couldn't leave Len. Standing in front of me was my own brother, Taito.

"Put him down Taito," I said sounding braver than I felt. My crazy older brother just smiled at me and it took everything I had not to tremble in fear.

"Long time no see Kaito," Taito said.

"Not long enough," I said through gritted teeth. "Give me Len and leave now."

"Now why would I do that?" he asked trying to sound innocent. "I have been watching you Kaito. I am always watching." He examined me slowly before he spoke again. "I do not like that you have friends. I especially do not like that the little kitten here is in love with you. Oh yes I know. Like I said I am always watching." I paled a little when he said he was always watching me.

"What are you going to do to him?" I asked trying to distract him so I could find a way to attack him without hurting Len.

"Play with him of course," Taito purred and I suddenly felt sick. "It's been a while since I have had a playmate that was so innocent. Thank you for giving him to me Kaito."

I snapped at that statement and I tried to tackle him. Taito just dropped Len to the ground and he grabbed one of my arms and flipped me over his shoulder before pinning me to the ground, wrists above my head. He sat on my waist effectively stopping me from too much movement.

"Why so worked up over one little kitten?" he asked, whispering in my ear causing me to shudder. "Besides you are dating a Miss Miku are you not?" He chuckled and I felt my skin crawl.

"It was you wasn't it?" I demanded struggling under my brother's weight. "You leaked that rumor to Len." Taito looked rather proud of himself and I could have hit him.

"Yes I did," he admitted. "No one is allowed to get close to you." He rested his head against my chest, under my chin and I dared not move. "Ne Kaito, don't you love me?"

"I do not," I said. I heard Taito growl and he tightened his grip on my wrists but I refused to cry out and give him the satisfaction. "I love Len." I added the last bit to be a slap in the face and then Taito reacted. He slapped me hard and I saw stars. I was temporarily dazed.

"I will take what you love and I will break it," He growled in my ear before he slapped me again and this time a small cry escaped. I felt Taito get off of me and he stood up. I tried to get up off the ground and fight him and he kicked me in the stomach. I curled in a ball as I tried to defend myself as he continued to kick me. I saw Taito pick up Len from the ground and I tried to get up and grab Len when he kicked me in the ribs. "We will meet again brother," he said coldly and he turned and walked away.

I waited until he was gone before I forced my self to sit up. I hissed in pain and I could have swore I heard something crack, but I knew Taito would be careful not to send me to the hospital so I knew nothing was cracked or broken. I was going to have a ton of bruises and I would be sore for a while. I forced myself to my feet and I looked in the direction Taito had walked. I had an idea of where Taito was going, my only problem was getting there in time to save Len. I sighed, hating to give up but I could not go after Len right now as much as it pained me. "Damnit," I yelled as I punched a nearby tree, tears streaming down my face. "I swear Len, I will save you." I started at Taito's retreating back before I turned and started walking back home, trying to decide how to break the bad news to everyone.